Nut-blanching machine.



W. H. KELLY.

NUT BLANCHING MACHINE.

I APPLICATION man AuG.4, w15.

Patented lily 11, 1916.

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WITNESSES.- 4 l ,]illly, INVENTOR FMW- BY Attorney W. H. KELLY.

NUT BLANCHING MACHINE. APPLLcAnoN FILED AuG.4.1915.

1 ',1 90,555. Patented Ju1y 11, 19111.

B SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNEssEs-f l y i Wmjfgyy, INVENTOIIQ,

W. H. KELLY.\

NUT BLANCHING MACHINE.

APPLlCATION FILED AUG.4. |915. 1,190,555. 1 Patented July 11, 1916.

l SHEETS-SHEETS.

WITNESSES.- elly, INVENTOR,

W. H. KELLY.

NUT BLANCHING MCHINE.

APPLICATION Fl [D A G. 1,190,555, L U 4 '9" PatenteaJulyu, 1916.

6 SHEETS--SHEET 4.

y flomey W. H. KELLY.

NUT BLANCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-4,1915.

Patented July 11, 1916.

9 10? 1143790" f/,ff

` '71.9 105 V i ih ".15 l

ll u l fos WITNESS/5s; INVENTOR/ W. H. KELLY.

` NUT BLNCHLNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Auc.4.1915..

. IPatented 11115711, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

WITNESSES.- if hrm@ INVENTORl Atlomey machine capable of effectively Uivrriin strA'rEs PATENT ornicn vviLLrAifi H, KELLY, or*` CLEVELAND, onio, Assieivon rro THE KELLY co., or CLEVE- LAND, onioiArAnrrNnnsHir ooiurosED or WILLIAM ii, KELLY Ann Louis A.

. KELLY. u,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 191e.

Continuation in part ot' application Serial No. 865,224, filed October 6, 1914. This application filed August 4, 1915. Serial No. 43,607.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

. Beit known that I, WILLIAM H. KELLY, a citizen` 0f the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Nut-Blanching Machine, of which the following is a specification. i

yThis invention has reference to nut blanching machines and more particularly to the removal of the skins from the kernels ofpeanuts, and its object is to provide a removing the skins from roasted or otherwise cooked peanut kernels without harm to the body of thekernel and to l,perform such operation upon a commercial scale without causingthe separation of the kernel into its component I halves, which separation produces the condition known as splits. l

i .The present application in so far as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned is a continuation of. my application No. 865,224, filed October 6, 1914i, `and subsequently renewed on June 15, 1915, under Serial No. 34,561. AWhile the present application is directed to a machine'difering in numerous details of construction fromthat shown in the aforesaid application, the same O'eneral association of the parts making up the machine is tov be found in both applications. The features which are common tol both applications include the orderly arrangement of hopper, feeding roller and Skinning devices in the order named, and mounted as a whole to be tilted on a horizontal axis, in the installed position of the machine', for the production of gravity feed.

In addition to this the feeding rollers have positive means for the separate individual feeding of the peanut kernels in tandem "with the rate of feed and the action of the Skinning devices so timed in relation one to the other that there is no interference during thei Skinning operation by a succeeding peanut reaching the Skinning device ahead of time. v f

In general the invention comprises a suitable tiltable frame mounted on a relatively fixed support for rocking movement brought about by adjusting means between the frame andits support. At vone end of the frame there is provided a hopper with an agitator therein with that part of the hopper containing the agitator divided oif from the main part of the hopper, so that at no time does the agitator engage more than a small quantity of peanuts,'altliough the main part bottom portion of the compartment ofthe` hopper containing the agitator, while the other end of the series of rolls has feeding helices separating and positively propelling the peanuts. At the ,last-named end of. the rolls the frame carries a series of Skinning devices cach individual to a pair of rolls and each provided with a reciprocable plunger. Driving mechanism is provided and is so connected to the parts to be driven that each. pair of feeding rolls delivers the peanuts one at a time to Ithe Skinning device belonging to the pair of rolls, but so that the peanut is delivered from the pair of rolls while the plunger is in the forward or active position, or beforeit has returned from such position suiiiciently to permit the peanut to drop in front of it, wherefore nicety of adjustment of the parts is not needed.

The invention also includes numerous features particularly adapting it to theconditions of commercial use and which will be more specifically referred to hereinafter. The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed` description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, with theV further understanding that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modiiied so long as such changes and modifications come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an eleva-A tion of the machine of the present inven ioo" 5-5 of Fig. l on a somewhat enlarged scale ltl ` ing 1n water, or by cooking in and omitting some distant parts. Fig. 6 is a plan view ofthe tiltable frame with some parts in section, the scale being the same as that of Fig. 5 and some distant parts being omitted. .Figa 7 is a plan View of a catch pan employed in the machine. Fig. 8 is a detail with some parts in section showing the tilting mechanism for the tiltable frame. Fig. 9 is a detail elevation with some parts in section of a fragment of the discharge end ot the hopper. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one ot the V-shaped guards employed in the hopper. Fig. l1 is a plan view of the plunger carrier with the plungers thereon. Fig. 12 is an elevation withsome parts in section of the agitator plate and parts associated therewith. Fig. 13 is a detail section ot a portion of the upper bearing for the rolls to show the manner of lubricating the bearings of the rolls.

The present invention is directed to a machine designed to operate upon the peanut kernels after they have been removed from the inclosing shell and for convenience of description such kernels will be hereinafter called peanuts. Moreover, the machine ot the present invention is designed to operate upon the peanuts after they have been cooked7 such cooking being either by the operation known as roasting, or by boiloil, the-lastnamed operation being termed French frying. The result of the cooking is that the peanut, which is an irregularly ovocylindrical dicotyledon with the cotyledons joined only at the radicle end and inclosed in an envelop, which for convenience will be termed the skin, is quite hard and brittle, and the brittleness is especially noticeable at the radicle. The skin is also quite brittle atter cooking and is quite easily shattered. `Usually the skin is nonadherent to the cotylcdons, but occasionally it adheres more or less tenaciously to the cotyledons or body of the peanut, and its removal presents cerd tain diiliculties. ,N i i Machines have heretofore been proposed for the Skinning of peanuts, and it is not uncommon to skin the peanuts by hand. In both cases the attempt to skin the peanu's is productive of a large portion of splits due to the very indifferent and fragile junction of the cotyledons of which the peanut kernel is composed. A very slight side pressure tending to move one cotyledon on the other either in the plane of the adjoining faces of the cotyledons or in a direction to move the cotyledons away from each other, causes a shattering of the junction at the radicle end and the consequent separation of the cotyledons. W'hile the peanuts are not actually harmed by the separation of the kernels into the individual cotyledons there is a demand for whole peanut kernels with the skins re- The machine comprises a supporting meii1` ber made up of side frames l, 2, joined together by rods 3 made fast to the frame by nuts 4. Each side frame has an extended hasep'ortion 5, designed to rest upon and be secured to a suitable floor in the customary manuel'. The legs of each side frame appreach as they rise from the ends of the basic portion until at the upper end each very moderate proportion ofV pair of legs terminate in a pillov7 block G i to which are adapted journal caps 7. J ournaled in the' pillow blocks 6 and held thereto by the caps '7 is a drive shaft S'constituting the main drive shaft of the machine. This shaft extends across the frame between the pillow blocks and at the ends beyondsaid pillow blocks to points outside of the frame.

At one end the shaft has secured thereto a tight pulley 9 and a loose pulley 10, whereby power may be applied to the shaft through a belt l1, but it will be understood that the` pulleys 9 and l0 and the belt 1l are to be taken as indicative of any source of power directly or indirectly applied tothe drive shaft. l

Each pillow block 6 is longitudinally slotted, as shown at 12, and carriesjournal bushings 13 on opposite sides ot the slot held in place by a cap 7, which is in reality two caps for each pillow block on opposite sides of the slot 12. Entering each slot 12 and there carried by the shaft 8 is a rock arm 1t supplied where surrounding the shaft with lubricant cups 15, which cups serve -to supply the shaft where traversing the bushings 13 with a suitable quantity of lubricant. Each rock arm 111 extends on opposite sides et the shaft 8 and on one side has formed thereon a post 16 beyond which the arm is continued in the form ot' an extension 17. Joining the two arms 14 at` a point about coincident with the posts 16 is a rodf18 fixed to the respective arms 14 by setscrew's 19 or in any other appropriatemanner. Also Ijoining the arms 14; at the outer ends of the extensions 17 is another rod 2O held at the extremities to the extensions 17 by nuts 21 or otherwise. The ends of the arms 14 remote from the extensions 17 are joined by a frame 22 having its interior illedby a web 23 whereby the frame is made anni ")yystrong shield.

Mounted on those portions of and frame 22 remote from the arms 1,4 is i another frame 24: `formed with intriorhbars iso 25 parallel with the sides of the frame 24 and with each other, and other bars 26 parallel with Athe endsof the .fname 24. The interior ofthe frame 24 is of web and ange I construction for lightness and strength.

Fast to the sides of the frame 24 are elongated side bars 27 joined at the ends coincident with the frame 22 by an end cross bar 28 which 1n the particular showing of the drawings is part of the frame 22 and is spaced from the corresponding end bar of the `frame 24 by lugs 29 ofstanding from the frame 24, wherefore there is provided a space between the end bar 28 and the corresponding end bar of the frame 24, which end bar is indicated at 30, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The side bars 27 are el-ongated to extend beyond the post 16 on the side thereofremote from the yarranged at any' desired angle to the horizontal about the axis of the shaft 8 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. To accomplish the rocking of thetiltable frame to the desired' angle there is provided va stem 31 formed into a fork 32 at one end with the legs of the fork terminating in sleeves 33 vmounted on the rod 20. The sleeves 33 are free to move on the rod 20 about the longitudinal axis ofthe rod, but are held from movement longitudinallyof the rod by set collars 34. The stem 31 is axially bored and traversed by a reduced axial extension 35v of a hub 36 carrying a hand wheel 37. The reduced portion 35 is held in the stem '31 by a nut 38 engaging one end of the stem with the `hub 36 abutting the other end of the stem. .On that side of the Vhub 36 remote from the extension 35 -is another extension 39 in the form of a screw` rod threaded o through a rockbar 40 having pintle ends 41 journaled in ears42 formed on the legs 1 and 2 kat an appropriate distance below the upper` ends of these legs and about coincident with cross-connections 43 joining the legsof each pair of legs 1 and 2. The frame is further` braced at the cross junction of the legs of each pair by rods 3a held by nuts 4.

"Applied to the 'screw rod 39 so as to jam against the rock bar 40 is a nut 44 with ball arms `451` for its convenient manipulation. Since the connection of the screw rod to the arms 14 isto lone side of the shaft 8, the larms and theframe carried thereby ,are

easily tilted to any desired angle by avsuitable manipulation vof the hand' wheel 37 n after loosening the nut 44 and when the desired degree of tilting is accomplished the parts are firmly locked in the adjusted position by the jam nut 44.

Mounted on the frame 22 at the lower end thereof and on the face of said frame remote from the arms 14 is a pintle rod 46 held to the frame 22 by suitable brackets 47. The pintle rod carries a hinge sleeve 48 on one end ofy a chute pan 49. This pan is considerably elongated and has upstanding sides 50 with approaching portions 51 at the end remote from the sleeve 48, that end of the pan 49 provided with the sides 5l being narrowed toward said end. Entering the narrow end of the pan is a longitudinal slot 52 having upstandingsides 53 which, when the pan is in place, straddle the screw rod 39. The narrow end of the pan rests upon and is supported .by the rock bar 40 and the arrangement is such that the pan always slants downward toward the narrow end which constitutes the discharge end of the pan.

ATo catch any material reaching the pan 49 and gravitatmg therealong to the discharge end a receptacle 54 is provided to be placed underneath the discharge end of the pan or chute 49. and while this receptacle is conventionally indicated as a box, it will be understood that" any suitable means of catching the material discharge from the pan or chute 49 may be provided.

. Carried by the tiltable frame, and in part supported by the side bars 27 and also supported by the corresponding end ofthe frame 24 is a funnel 55 of appropriate size in depending relation to the frame carrying it and contracting toward the lower end where it has secured to it a spout continuation 56 of such length as to discharge into the receptacle 54, or whatever means of disposal may be provided in place of the receptacle 54.

Secured to the side bars 27 and upstand` ing therefrom in spaced relation to the corresponding end of the frame 24 are narrowed extensions 57 of side boards 58 of a hopper 59 divided into a main compartment 60 and a supplemental compartment 61 by a division board or wall 62, which, in the particular showing of the drawings, is about perpendicular to the plane of the tiltable frame. The hopper 59 is provided with a bottom extension 64. The division board 62 and the extension 64, together constitute what may be termed the rear Wall of the supplemental compartment 61,- While the narrowed or contracted side portions 57 of the hopper sides 5S constitute the sides of the supplemental compartment, as Well as constituting supporting or carrying menibers for the hopper itself. The supple mental compartment is provided With what may be termed a front Wall in the form of a plate GG Which may be conveniently constructed of metal, although not necessarily so, While the sides and bottom portions of the hopper, as Well as the division board 62 and another board G7, constituting the rear wall of the hopper may all be composed of wood, although, of course, such parts may, if desired, be made of metal. The hopper is made fast to the side bars 27 by corner strips GS secured to the bars 27 and rising therefrom and also secured to the side por* tions 57 of the hopper. The corner strips 63 have upstanding continuations G9 constituting posts or supports for a rod traversing the upper ends of the supports 69 and extending from one to the other. The rod 70 carries hangers 71 each of4 which is provided With a separate portion 72 secured to the part 71 by a bolt 73 or otherwise extending through a slot 7st in the extension 72, whereby the effective length of the hanger may be adjusted, as desired.

Secured to each strip` 68 is an angle plate 75 which also serves as a means for holding t the front plate G9 of the supplemental compartment in place. The angle plates 7 5 carry by the ends an angle strip 76 travers- `ing the upper portion of the plate ,56 and having a Web 77 overriding the upper edge of the plate 6G, the web 77 being'notched near the ends,`as indicated at 78, to accom- `modate the hangers 71.

" Supported at the ends by hangers 71 is an agitator plate 79 having the edge remote from the hangers, and constituting the lower `edge of the agitator plate in the installed position, formed with angle notches 80 interspersed with rounded notches 31 of less depth, while the ends of the plate adjacent to the notched edge are beveled, as indicated at 82, so that the notched edge of the plate is of less length than the length of the plate itself. There the throat 65 of the hopper 5S enters the supplemental compartment, the latter has slanting end boards 83 correspending to the bevels S2, Wherefore the bottom of the supplemental compartment is of less length transversely of the machine than the main body of the supplemental compartment.

Connected to the plate 79 at a point about midway of its height is a link 84 extending l through a slot S5 in the front plate 66 of the supplemental compartment. The other end of the link is connected by a wrist pin mental compartment.

86 to a disk 87 on one end of a counter-shaft 88 journaled `in bearings carried by brackets 89 on the corresponding face of the supple` The shaft` 88 is secured to one side of the hopper and there is provided with a sprocket Wheel 90 driven by a sprocket chain 91 extending to another sprocket wheel 92, (see Fig. 5) on'one end of a shaft 93 extending crosswise of the tiltable frame at a point beneath the main body of the hopper and provided at opposite ends with sprocket Wheels 94, 95, respectively, exterior to the tiltable frame. The shaft 93 is driven by sprocket chains 9G, 97, respectively, engaging the respective sprocket Wheels 94 and 95 and in turn engaging about other sprocket Wheels 98, 99, on appropriate portions of the drive shaft 8. The lower run of each sprocket chain 96 and 97 is supported by a. respective idler roller 100 mounted on a pin 101 carried by a shield 102, or 102a covering the sprocket chains on the respective sides of the machine. Each shield is supported by elongated studs 103,104: projecting from the posts 16 and the side bars 27, respectively, at appropriate points to sustain the shields. These shields are simply protective and are appropriately shaped to cover the sprocket chains.

The shaft 93 is provided at suitable points with bearings 105 mounted .on a board or plate 106 carried by the corresponding ends of the side bars 27 at points beneath the bottom 63 of the hopper 58. Also carried by the board 196 is an elongated plate or strip 107 held to the board by brackets '108 or otherwise. y

Extending through and journaled in'the plate or strip 107 is one end of eachof a series of rod-like rolls 109 in parallel relation one to the other and extending to and journaled in a plate-likestripl 110 mounted on the end bar 30 ofthe frame 2t bybrackets 111 or otherwise. The rolls 109 Where projecting through the journal strip 107carry pinions 112 each meshing with its neighbors, so that each When driven will rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the next adjacent roll. Certain of the rolls are prolonged and each of these prolonged rolls carries a bevel pinion 113 meshing with a companion bevel pinion 114 fast to the shaft 93. In the particular showing of the drawings there are twenty rolls representing ten pairs of rolls, and at an intermediate point the intermeshing of the gears 112 is broken by the provision of a long pinion 112a and a short pinion 112", wherefore each pair of interlneshing pinions 113 and 1111 drives ine-half of the rolls.

In order to lubricate the bearings of the rolls 109 in the journal strip 107 there is provided a tube 115 communicating with the journals of the rods and provided at the ends with upstanding continuations 116 secured to the outer walls of the sides 59 of the hopper 58 by brackets 117,-,the upper ends of the tube extensions being accessible for the introduction of lubricant thereinto. To guard that portion of the structure occupied by the pinion carrying ends of the rolls 109 cover plates 118 are made fast to the-sides of the j hopper to close in those portions not protected thermore, there is provided a door 119 having a hinge connection 120 with the bottom of the hopper and movable into engagement with the board or plate 106 to further protect the parts. Coacting latch members 121 and 122 on the door 119 and hopper 59 are provided to hold the door in the open position when desired.

The rolls 109 are each of suoli vdiameter and these rolls are so spaced apart` thaty a peanut cotyledon or split will readily pass between them, but a whole peanut kernel is usually of too great a diameter to pass between these rolls, this being true of the peanuts which the machine is designed to treat. The rolls are so disposed that the entireseries underrides and forms the bottom of the supplemental compartment 61, the width of the series of rolls corresponding to the length of the compartment crosswise of the machine between the lower ends of the slanting sideboards 33. The rolls 109 are so spaced apart that the points wherev the recesses 80 and 81 of the plate 7 9 meet are located immediately over the center'or axial lines of the rolls. I

Fast to the outer face of the plate 66 adjacent to the lower edge thereof is a series of blocks 123. These blocks are spaced apart and each block, is notchedat what constitutes its lower end to receive one end of a V-shaped strip 124, these strips having their webs at substantially or approximately right angles, and each strip is held at one Aend to a corresponding block 123 by a screw 125 or'otherwise, so that the angle of the strip which is arranged uppermost is in underriding relation to the lower .edge of the plate 66. Those edges of the angle strip .remote from the junction of the webs are in one plane and are arranged in close ,relation to adjacent rolls 109 so that the upper surfaces of the angle strip are in close approach to tangential relation to the surfaces of the adjacent rolls, which rolls constitute the nei,ghboring rolls of adjacent pairs of rolls. yThe angle strips 124 are of such length as to extend the full depth from front to rear of the supplemental compartment 61, and those ends of the strips 124 remote from the blocks 123 are beveled, as

shown at 126, and underride the bottom eX- A tension 64 of the main compartment of the hopper, finally abutting against a retaining strip 127 at the lower edge ofl the said bot-y tom continuation 64. The strips 124 act by the shields 102 and 1022*, and, furas guards extending lengthwise of the rolls 109 and are located within the supplemental compartment, so" that peanuts therein are.

edges of the blocks 123 presented toward each other have longitudinal grooves 128' therein so that a cut-o plate 129 may be introduced between any two neighboring blocks 123. One end of the plate is made V-shaped, as indicated at 1295, so as to lodge between the rolls 109 of a pair, and thus prevent the escape of peanuts from the hopper to the particular pair of rolls thereby cut off from access of peanuts thereto. It is customary tol provide two such plates each with` a. chain 130 made fast kat some 4convenient point as by a screw 131 to the strip 76. The purpose of the cut-olf plates 129 is to permit the continuance of the operation of the machine in case of the necessity of repairs to certain parts to be described, so that such repairs may be readily made without necessity of stopping of the machine.

,Those ends of the rolls 109 adjacent to the journal strip 110 are each provided with a helical rib 132 having a pitch whereby the turns of the rib are spaced :mart a dislarger sizes of peanuts, the turns of the' helices are' ordinarily adapted to such peaf nutsand only such peanuts are treated by the machine as Ahave been obtained by selection, which selection may be made by screening. yThat Vend of the series of rolls 109 where these rolls are supported by the journal plate 110 constitutes the discharge end of the series of rolls 109 and these rolls because of their function may be termed feeding rolls. l

rlihe end trip 28 carries a series of closely associated upstanding blocks 133 each supporting a skinning or decorticating structure 134 projecting from that face of the block 133 remote from the feeding rolls.`

1n line with each decorticating device 134 isa short receptacle 135 extending between the block 133 and the journal strip 110. The receptacle 135 is designed to receive the peanuts discharged from the corresponding pair of feeding rolls 109. 1n line with the receptacles 135 the strip 110 is pierced by a corresponding number of passages 136 forpeanut engaging ends 137 of plungers 138, which latter are of a rod-like shape and are all carried by across head 139 provided in ermediately with a guide block 140 movable between ways 141 on the frame 24 and between two `adjacent intermediate longitudinal bars 25ct the framel24f.` The intermediate bars 25 have supportingtledges 142 coacting with the ways 1111 for the support and guidance of the block 14,0.`

Mounted to rock on the `rod `18 is an angle lever 143 having a hub lfleat the angle junction of the arms so that the lever may rock on the rod 18 and this lever is held against longitudinal movement on `the lever 14:3 has another shorter arm 152 car-` rying at its end a stud 153. on which is mounted a roller 15a `entering a cam groove 155 in one face `of a cam disk 156 mounted on and fast to the power shaft 8. The result of this construction is that each time the power shaft makes one complete revolution the plunger head together with the `plungers 138 make one complete rcciprocation of an extent suicient to carry the peanut engaging ends 137 of the plungers from a point oi complete retraction so far as the cups 135 areconcerncd toa point wherethe peav nut engaging ends of the plunger project through the skinningor decorticating devices 13a. These decorticatmg devices may `be such -1 as are illustrated in the `aforesaid y application of which `the present application is a continuation, `.or in application No. 866,079, of William VJ. Kelly, fornut blanching machina tiled September 3, 1914. However, the preferred form of Skinning or `decorticating devices is that generally indicated in the drawings and shown and described in detail and claimed in application of Charles Laganke, for peanut Skinning device, tiled July 9, 1915. No attempt is made to specifically illustrate or describe the Skinning device lastnamed, and it need only be stated that such Skinning device is preferred because it completely re moves the skin from the peanut kernel without injury to such kernel and without breaking the cotyledons of the kernel apart, so that, considering the hopper as supplied with peanut kernels with the skins on, the machine delivers the peanut kernels with great rapidity completely denuded of the skin and with only an occasional breakage, so that tln-` proportion `ot csplits is very small. Moreover, those splits and small nuts nieuwe which may be present in the batch of peanuts as delivered into the hopper are. to a great extent sifted out automatically by the feeding rolls.

It is customary to install the machines in gangs with the discharge ends of the machines-delivering upon a suitable conveyer,

which in the drawings-is only conventionally indicated at 157 without attempt at illustrating any particular form of conveyer. Of course, where a single machine is ern-- ployed such conveyer is not needed, but where a comparatively large number of machines are employed they may be arranged through guides 161 and provided with ingers 162 for engaging the belt. @ther fingers 163 at opposite ends of the bar constitute convenient manipulating members. In order to hold the belt shifter in position and especially in the position throwing the machine out of operation, the bar 160 has suitable perforations through whicha pin y 16-l may be passed and coming into contact with one of the guides 161 will hold the belt shifter with the belt on the loose pulley and prevent any accidental movement of the belt shifter to carry the belt on to the tight pulley. The pin 161 is supported by a chain 165 to prevent loss. r

It is convenient to know the degree of inclination of the tiltable frame carrying the peanut treating devices, and hence `a pointer finger 166 is mounted on one` of the standards, say, the standard `having the legs 2, and an index 167 is produced upon4 lio the corresponding side bar 27 in positionto coact with the finger 166 to show the degrec of inclination. It is also of advantage to vary the throw ot the agitator blade 79 and consequently the disk 87 may have suitable sockets 168 to locate the wrist pin at different distances from the axis of the shaft 88 to vary the throw of the agitator.

Let it be assumed that a supply of peanuts sufficient, say, to about fill the hopper 59, is deposited in the compartment 60. These peanuts, which are assumed to be selected peanuts with the skins on, will at once gravitate through the throat 65 into the compartment 61, but the flow oi peanuts is quickly arrested because the outflow of peanuts soon reaches the angle of rest and only a comparatively thin layer of peanuts ultimately comes into engagement with the agitator chine, but after being placed in the hopper. Such Splits travel from the main compartment of the hopper into the supplemental compartment thereof and many of them find their way through the spaces between the adjacent rolls of each pair, the agitator plate acting to distribute the splits as well as the whole peanuts lengthwise of the rolls. The result is that many of the Splits drop through the bottom of the Supplemental compartment, which bottom is composed of the pairs of spaced rolls and such bottom being immediately over the funnel 55 the splits are directed into the receptacle 54. The funnel 55 is prolonged in the direction of travel of the peanuts beyond the dis charge end of the Supplemental compartment and consequently any splits which fail to escape through the grid-like bottom of the hopper iind their 'way between the rolls after escape from the hopper. ccasionally some splits may even reach the ribbed portion of the rolls to be there discharged, but in Such case the splits then drop into the chute i9 to be ultimately directed into the container 54.

rl`he whole peanuts with the skins on are directed to the decorticating devices 13a and on being forced therethrough are wholly denuded of the skins with no material harm to the bare surfaces of the peanut kernels. This denuding takes place even though the Skin be quite tenaciously adherent as sometimes happens, and the Skinning of the peanut kernel also takes place from the extreme end first presented to the decorticating devices to the end last reached thereby.

It sometimes happens that with different batches of peanuts the best results are obtained by suitably adjusting the throw of the agitator blade, which is done by shifting the wrist pin 8G, while in other cases itis advisable to have the lower edge of the agitator plate 79 shifted with relation to its distance from the rolls 109. This last adjustment is accomplished bymeans of the bolts 73 and the slotted passages 74. If it be found necessary to vary th i throw of the plungers 13S so as to move to a greater or less extent through the decorticating devices 13a, Such variation of throw is accomplished by the adjustment provided by the threaded stem 150 and nut 151.

By the means described there is provided a commercial type of machine which in the form shown has been actually used on a commercial scale with the result that the peanuts are skinned with great speed and with a minimum production of splits far less in amount than is accomplished by hand, or by other types of machines, while the output of the machine is far in excess of any hand work, and the machine because of the large number of decortieating devices assembled in the one Structure has an output in excess of other machines for a like purpose.

What is claimed is l. In a peanut Skinning machine, a Skinning device adapted to engage and strip the skin from a peanut moving lengthwise through said device, means for propelling peanuts each lengthwise through the skinning device, and means for feeding the peanuts in the direction of their length and for controlling the same so as to be engaged one at atime by the first-named means.

2. In a peanut Skinning machine, a Skinning device adapted to engage and strip the skin from a peanut moving lengthwise through said device, means for propelling peanuts each lengthwise through the skinning device, means for containing peanuts and discharging them therefrom in the direction of their length, and means for receiving the peanuts discharged from the containing means and for feeding the peanuts lengthwise and for controlling the same so as to be engaged one at a time by the rstnamed means.

3. In a peanut Skinning machine, the combination of a hopper, peanut Skinning means spaced therefrom, and means between the hopper and the Skinning means for feeding the peanuts lengthwise from the hopper and then controlling the peanuts so as to be ,en gaged one at a time and be fed at intervals to the Skinning means.

4. In a peanut Skinning machine, peanut Skinning devices, and feeding means for the peanuts having means for first arranging the peanuts longitudinally in Series, and means for then automatically spacing them one from the other in the direction of their length before reaching the Skinning devices.

5. In a peanut Skinning machine, Skinning devices, and feeding devices having means for engaging the peanuts and irst arranging them in lengthwise position and causing them to travel in the lengthwise direction and also provided with automatic means for then positively directing the peanuts individually and in lengthwise direction to the Skinning devices.

6. In a peanut Skinning machine, Skinning devices provided with means for forcino the peanuts lengthwise therethrough, an( feeding means for the peanuts for operating thereon first by gravity and then positively to feed the peanuts one at a time to the means for forcing them through the skinning devices.

7. In a peanut Skinning machine, skinning means, and means for feeding the peanuts toward the Skinning means in longitudinal series and having automatic means for then separating the peanuts while in the Same longitudinal order prior to delivering them individually to the Skinning means.

S. In a peanut Skinning machine, peanut Skinning devices, and elongated feeding rolls arranged. side by. side longitudinallyrv Yin vpairs to feed the peanutsin longitudinaliseries and .having coacting means to automatically separate the 4peanuts individually before reaching the skiniiing devices and tothen positivelydirect said lseparated peanuts'to the Skinning devices.

9. In a peanut Skinning machine, skinning4 devices, and feeding ineans' having gravity means lfor arranging the peanuts lengthwise lin series, and automatic means for then positively engaging. thepeanuts and space them apart lengthwise, the'` skinning devices and feeding means being timed in operation to complete the Skinning operation upon each peanut before the next peanut in order'is received by said Skinning devices.

10. In a peanut Skinning machine, peanut Skinning means, andineansfor feeding the peanuts in longitudinal series-with thepeanuts arranged lengthwise, said feeding means including automaticineans for engaging and separating the :peanuts before reaching the Skinning means and for feeding the peanuts at intervals tothe skinning y devices, and said skinningineans and peanut spacing parts of the feeding means being timed in action to cause the intervals between the feeding of `the peanuts to the Skinning means to correspond to the cycley of operation of said skinniiig means.

11. In a peanut Skinning machine, elongated feeding means, Skinning devices at one end of the feeding means, and means for delivering peanuts lengthwise infseries to the other end of the feeding means, said feeding means having means for automati- 'cally spacing thel peanuts apartlengthwise -after being received thereby andy prior to reaching theL Skinning nieansand the spacing-and skinningineans being timed in op,

eration `to provide intervals of feed cf 4the peanuts to correspond to the cycle of operation of the 'Skinning means. ,y

12. In a, peanut -skinning machine, the combinationl of a hopper,elongated feeding rolls extending fromathe interiorto the eX- teiior of the hopper,` and Skinning devices at the Iendscf the rolls remoteI from the hopper, Said hopper,Y feeding vZLOllS.;` and- ,y l l y discharge endof the feeding means, and acskinning devices being in line to operate` upon the peanuts in va lengthwise direction from within the hopper' to the Skinningv devices.

them therefrom in the direction *.ofytheir. length, Skinning devices spaced from'v the peanut containing` means, means for propel-v ling peanuts. l.. Jlengthwise through` the I -skinfv ning devices, .fe`eding devieesqbetween the",l means for icnn'taining peaniitaand .ftheskina 55 ning means for carrying 'thepeanutsl in, the

ydirection of their length t`o the means for propelling l.thefpeanuts through the skin-` ed "te cause theiroperation tof present a means `1with relation to the reciprocation of lthe plungers for` vplacing-one peanut at a rocation -of the/letteri- 15.' In a peanut `Skinning machine, peatime on a respective plunger dfor 'eachrecip nut Skinningmeans, .a reciproca-tory plunger for propelling the peanuts through'the I skinningfmeans, jand peanut feeding means timed inaction' to deposit the peanuts onto Vthe plunger, ene at a' time, for each 'reciprocation of the plunger andbefore the pl'n# ger reaches the retracted position.- Y y 16. In avr peanut Skinning machine, the combination of feeding means .for the peanuts having meansfor positively discharging' one peanut'at :ii-time therefrom `in a didevices inifcommunication with the'f'eeding means.V and provided with r'ecip'ocatory plungersffor` forcing the .peanuts through rectioii lengthwisefof thefpeanut, skinningi ioo` Said devices, and driving mechanism forthe feeding'v .means and vpiungers timed to cause theoperation ef the 'feeding means With rex' lation to the reeiprocation lof the plungers foi1c placing one'ipfeanut at av time onto a respectivejplunger back 'of its peanut pro-y d,peilinglend foreach reciprocation of said plunger, so that accuracyjofadjustment between they movements of the feeding means plungers vis'vnot necessary. 1l'. Inap'lanutskinnin'g machine,`peanut Skinning means, means for feeding the "pea-` nuts intervals-'ftd the Skinning means and y having the discharge end at ahigher level than Lthe Skinning means, reciprocatory lplungers foi? propelling the peanuts through the skinning'nieans at a lowerlevel'than the range of movement to propel a peanut through the skinning means` and actuating means for the feeding means and plunger timed to deposit a peanut upon the plunger while in traversing relation with respect to the receptacle.

19. In a peanut skinning machine, a pair of feeding rolls arranged side side and spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the peanuts to be treated, driving means for rotating the rolls of the pair oppositely with the adjacent portions of the rolls rising in movement, means for depositing the peanuts on the rolls for progress therealong with the longitudinal axis of each peanut lengthwise of the rolls, and a skinning device at the discharge end of the pair of rolls for receiving the peanuts one by one therefrom.

20. In a peanut skinning machine, skinning devices, a series of inclined feeding rolls arranged side by side in pairs, driving means for rotating the rolls of each pair oppositely one from the other with the adj acent portions of the rolls rising in movement, means for depositing peanuts on each pair of roll:A for progress therealong by the inclination and rotation of the rolls with the longitudinal axis of each peanut lengthwise of the pair of rolls, and means for preventing access of the peanuts to the spaces between the pairs of rolls.

21. In a peanut Skinning machine, skinning devices, a series of inclined feeding rolls arranged side by side in pairs, driving means for rotating the rolls of each pair oppositely one from the other with the adjacent portions of the rolls rising in movement, and means for deposing peanuts on each pair of rolls for progress therealong by the inclination and rotation of the rolls, with the longitudinal axis of each peanut lengthwise of the pair of rolls carrying it.

22. In a peanut skinning machine, a pair of inclined feeding rolls arranged side by side and spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the peanuts to be treated,

V driving means for rotating the rolls of the pair oppositely with the adjacent portions of the rolls rising in movement. means for deposlting peanuts on the rolls for progress therealong bv gravity and the rotation of the rolls with the longitudinal axis of each peanut lengthwise of theA rolls, and a skinning device at the discharge end of the rolls.

25%. In a peanut skinning machine, a pair of inclined feeding rolls arranged side by side and spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the peanuts to be treated, driving means for rotating the rolls of the pair oppositely with the adjacent portions of the rolls rising in movement, means for depositing peanuts on the rolls for progress therealong by gravity and the rotation of the rolls with the longitudinal axis of each peanut lengthwise of the rolls, and a skinning device at the discharge end of the rolls, said machine also being provided with means for varying the inclination of the rolls to. determine the rate of gravity feed.

24. In a peanut skinning machine, a pair of inclined feeding rolls arranged side by side and spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the peanuts to be treated, driving means for rotating the rolls of the pair oppositely with the adjacent portions of the rolls rising in movement, means for depositing peanuts on the rolls for progress therealong by gravity and the rotation of the rolls with the longitudinal axis of each peanut lengthwise of the rolls, and a skinning device at the discharge end of the rolls, said machine also being provided with means for varying the inclination of the rolls to determine the rate Lof gravity feed, and the pair of rolls having coacting means for positively directing the peanuts individually to the skinning devicer In a peanut skinning machine, a tiltable supporting member. pairs of elongated feeding rolls thereon participating in the tilt ofthe supporting member, and cach pair of rolls being smooth for the greater portion of its length with the lower ends provided with matching helical ribs having the turns spaced apart by peanut lengths, means for delivering peanuts in alinement to the upper ends of the rolls, and skinning means at the lower ends of the rolls.

26. In a peanut skinning machine, a series of inclined feeding rolls arranged in pairs, means for delivering peanuts in alinement to respective pairs of rolls, and skinning means provided with means for propelling peanuts therethrough, the rolls and propelling means having means for actuating them in timed relation to feed a single peanut to each skinning means for each complete movement of the propelling means.

27. In a peanut skinning machine, a series of inclined feeding rolls arranged in pairs with each pair having helical ribs at their lower ends for positively feeding peanuts and the remainder of the rolls being smooth for the gravity feed of peanuts therealong, means for delivering peanuts in alinement to respective pairs of rolls, and skinning means provided with means for propelling peanuts therethrough, the rolls and propelling means having means for actuating them in timed relation to feed a single peanut to each skinning means for each complete movement of the propelling means.

28. In a peanut skinning machine, a tiltable supporting member, pairs of elongated feeding rolls thereon participating in the tilt of thev supporting memberv with each pair of rolls of smooth contour for a portion of its length and beyond theV smoothy portion having 'matching heli'calribs with the turns spaced apart by peanut lengths,y

ribs without crowding.

29. In a peanut Skinning machine, the combination of a hopper, devices within `and `extending from 'the hopper for feeding the peanuts lengthwise from the hopper and provided with means outside' the hopper for discharging the peanuts atv intervals,`y`

means `in the :hopper for alining the peanuts lengthwise on the feeding means, peanut Skinning means at the discharge end of the feeding devices, and mans vfor propelling the peanuts lengthwise through the'skinning means one at a time as feeding means. p

30. In a peanut Skinning machine, the combination of a hopper, devices within received from the and extending'from the 'hopper for feedingy the peanuts lengthwisefrom the hopper an providedy with means outside the hopperfor discharging lthe peanuts at intervals, I,means wise on the feeding means, peanut Skinning means at the discharge end of the feeding devices, and means for propelling the peanuts lengthwise through the Skinning means foneat a time as received from the feeding means, the feeding devices being inclined to i cause lthe'gravity feed of the peanuts Arpm the hopper toward the Skinning means.

81. In -a ypeanut Skinning machine, an in'- clinable support, a hopper and Skinning means thereon in spacedrelation one from the other and located on the ysupport so that when the latter is inclined the hopper is higher than the Skinning means, and said- Skinning means having' propelling'mea'ns associated therewith for forcingl the peanuts therethrough, and gravity' feeding means participating in the inclination of the support and leading from the'hopper tothe Skinning means, said feeding means being provided with positively acting-means adj a-y cent and delivering to the device associatedv with the Skinning means for propelling pea` nutstherethrough, whereby the peanuts are automatically fed' one at a'time tothe propelling means irrespective of the gravity feed. .l

32. In a peanut Skinning machine, 'a hopper, a pair of inclinedrolls extending from the hopper with each'roll having a smooth exterior for a portion' of they length from' the hopper and ybeyond such portion pro- `vided with matching helical ribs, and Skinning devices at the lower ends of the rolls and to which the pair of rolls discharges.

33."In a peanut Skinning machine, a

frame, a hopper, pairs.r of inclined rolls extending fromthe hopper and `having a smoothv exterior for a portion of their length vand beyond such portion provided with helical ribs, `Skinning devices at thel lower ends of the rolls and to which a pair through of a peanut for each reciprocation of the 'corresponding plunger, the turns of each helix on` the rolls being spaced apart and related to the respective roll to deliver a peanutv to the respective Skinning device whilethe plunger :is in the path ofthe peanut deposited therein.

34. In a peanut Skinning machine, a frame provided with'a mounting upon which it may be rocked into tilted relation' to the horizontal, a hopper for containing peanuts located at one end of the frame, skinning devices located at the other end of the frame, and gravity feeding means between the hopper and Skinning devices mounted onv the frame and participating in the tilting of the latter. f in the hopper for'alining the peanuts length- 35. In a peanut Skinning machine, a supporting member mounted for tilted relation to the horizontal, a vhopper forpeanuts at the high end-of the supporting member in f ning means, and means for varying the tilt of the supporting member atwill, soas to` a increase or decrease the effectiveness of the vfeedii'ng means.`

36. In a peanut Skinningmachine, a basic ico member, a supporting member mounted f thereon for movement into tilted relation to `the horizontal, manually operable means betweenthe tiltable supporting member and the basic member for varying the tilt of thel Supporting member at will, means at 'the high end'of the supporting memberin the tilted position for containing a -Supply kof peanuts, Skinning devices at the llow end of the supporting member, and means for directing peanuts by gravity from the con' taining means toward the Skinning devices and locatedon the Supporting memberrA .37 Inka peanut Skinning machine, a basic member, a supporting member mounted f thereon for rocking movements into tilted relation to the horizontal, a hopper for peanuts at the high end ofthe supporting mem- -end `of the -Supporting member, pairs of elongated rolls extending froin'the hopper A' ber. when tilted, Skinning devices at the low to the skinning devices for delivering peanuts from the hopper to said skinning lde-` vices, driving means located in the axis of tilt of the supporting member, and connections from the driving means to the rolls.

3S. uIn a peanut Skinning machine, a basic member, a supporting member mounted thereon for movements into tilted relation to the horizontal, connections between the basic member and the supporting member for varying the degree of tilt, actuating means located in the axis of tilt of the supporting member, a hopper for peanuts located at the high end of the supporting member when in the tilted position, skinning devices at the 10W end of the support- .ing member, reciproeatory plungers in coactive relation and individual to the skinning devices and mounted on the supporting member, rotatable rolls extending from the hopper to the skinning devices for feeding peanuts by gravity from the hopper toward the skinning devices, and driving connections from the actuating means to the rolls and plungers, respectively.

39. In a peanut skinning machine, an inclined supporting member, a hopper for peanuts located at the high end thereof, skinning devices at the low end of the supporting member, reciprocatory` plungers in coactive relation and individual to the skinning devices and mounted on the supporting member, rotatable rolls for feeding peanuts by gravity from the hopper toward the skinning devices, and driving connections for the rolls and plungers,respectively, the rolls being provided adjacent the Skinning devices with helical ribs for positively feeding peanuts, and the driving connections being timed in operation' to cause the rotation of one complete turn of the helixto each vcomplete reciprocation of a corresponding` plunger.

40. In` a peanut Skinning machine, a basic member, a supporting frame mounted thereon for tilting into diiferent 4relations to the horizontal, a povver shaft located in the axis of tilting of the supporting frame, connections between the supporting frame and the basic member for seating the supporting frame into different tilted positions, a hopper on the frame at the high end thereof in the tilted position, gravity feeding means for the peanuts extending from the hopper toward the lou' end of the frame, and Skinning devices at the low end of the tiltable frame.

4l. In a peanut skinning machine, the combination of a hopper, pairs of feeding rolls communicating with the discharge of the hopper and cach having a feeding helix thereon, skinning devices at the discharge ends of the pairs of rolls, a support mounted to tilt the rolls with. respect to the horizontal for gravity feed of the peanuts from the hopper toward the feeding helices, and

driving means for the rolls.

42. In a peanut Skinning machine, the combination of a hopper, pairs of rolls communicating with the hopper and extending therefrom and at the ends remote from the hopper provided With helical ribs, said rolls being tilted with respect to the horizontal for gravity feed of the peanuts and the ribs having their turns spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the length' of a peanut, peanut Skinning devices at the discharge ends of the rolls, plungers movable through the peanut Skinning devices for propelling the peanuts therethrough, and driving means for rotating the rolls and reciprocating the plungers in timed relation to deposit the peanuts one at a time upon the plungers before the peanuts are engaged by the latter for propulsion through the skinning devices.

4,3. In a peanut Skinning machine, a tiltable supporting frame, a hopper for peanuts located at one end of the frame and provided with a supplementary compartment, an agitator for the peanuts located in the supplementary compartment, pairs of elongated rolls constituting the bottom of the supplementary compartment and extending therefrom toward the lower end of the tiltable frame, and the pairs of rolls having helical ribs at their lower ends for positively feeding the peanuts, said rolls being elsewhere smooth, a seriespf Skinning devices at the lower end of the frame with each Skinning device in line With'a pair of rolls and receiving peanuts from the discharge end thereof, a series of plungers corresponding in number to the Skinning devices and individual to and movable through a respective skinning device to 'propel a peanut therethrough, and means for rotating the rolls,`reciprocating the plungers and actuating the agitator, for the gravity feed of the peanuts from the supplementary compartment along the rolls to the helical ribs and the positive feed of the peanuts by the latter to the Skinning devices.

44. In a peanutsltinning machine, a tiltable supporting frame, a hopper for peanuts located at one end of the frame'and provided with a` supplementary compartment, an agi-l tator for the peanuts located in the supplementary compartment, pairs of elongated rolls constituting the bottom of the supplementary compartment and extending therefrom toward the lovver end of the frame, the pairs of rolls at `the lower ends having matching helical ribs thereon for positively feeding the peanuts and the rolls being elsewhere smooth, a series of skinning devices at the lower end of the frame with each Skinning device in line with a pair of rolls to receive peanuts from the discharge end thereof, a series of plungers corresponding in number. to the Skinning devices with each plunger individual to and movable through a respective skinning device to.` propel a'peaofthe peanuts from the supplementary compartment-.along the rolls to the-helicalribs and the positive feed ofthe peanuts by the latter to the Skinning devices, the rolls of each'pair being spaced apart to permitthe passage between them of smaller v articles thanthevwholepeanuts to be'skin'ned.

,-45.V In a peanut skinningmachinman inclined support, a hopper vfor containing a supplyof peanuts mounted atthe high end. l

of thefsupporty andhaving a supplementary compartment into which `the main compartmentof the hopper f discharges, and said hopper `havingvlmeans for restricting the amount of peanuts `delivered at any one time into the supplementary, compartment, a

pendent agitator platel withinv the supplementary compartment havinghangers ad-I justable as to length` and provided at lts"` lower edgewithmeans for agitatingthe .pea-

nutsand ydetermining thesizes of the outlets from the supplementary compartment, drivingv means for the agitator having means for varying the length of stroke of the agitator, pairs ofy rolls constituting thebottom of the supplementary compartment and ex-l tending therefrom in coactive relation to the agitator plate, with` thoseends of thel rolls remote from the hopper being provided with helical ribs for the positivey feed of peanuts engaged thereby, and Skinning devices ,at ,the discharge ends of the pairs of rolls..

46. In a peanut Skinning machine, a ,hop-

per for containing asupplyof peanuts, pea-l nut Skinning meansin spaced krelation to the hopper, and means for conveying peanuts from the hopper to theskinningmeanscom--- prising a Series of pairs of rotatable rolls, with the rolls of' each pair spaced apart afi distance permitting splits and small nuts to fall between the ro ls and approaching close enough together to sustain whole nuts of suitable size in lengthwise position whereby the rolls act as a grader and feeder.

47. In a peanut sk inning machine,y a hopper for containing asupply of peanuts, peanut skinning means in spaced relation to the hopper, means for conveying peanuts from the hopper to the Skinning means comprising a series of pairs of rotatable rolls, with the -rolls of each pair -spaced apart a distance kpermitting splits and small nuts to'fall between the rolls and approaching close enough together to sustain whole nuts of suitable size, said rolls having means near the discharge end for spacing the peanuts apart in the direction of their length.

48. In a peanut Skinning machine, a hopper for containing a supply of peanuts, peanut Skinning means in spaced relation to the hopper, means for conveying peanuts fromy the Lhopper to the skinningmeans, comprising series of pairs'of rotatableV rolls enteringI `the hopper and extending therefrom to the y Skinning means witlithe rolls of` each pair lspaced apart a distance permitting splits andsinall nutsfto fall between the rolls and approaching close enough together to susy tain whole nuts of suitable size, a funnel underneath the rolls where within `the hop- 'per andfor a distance beyond the latter, and t a chute beneath the remaining portions .of the rolls vand said. funnel and chutehaving their discharge ends adjacent.

l y f 49. In I.a peanut Skinning machine,j.ag` frame, a hopper, and means for directing. 4

peanuts therefrom.mountedon the frame, y

` skinning devices also mounted onthe framek at the discharge ends of the peanut directing means, a Series of plungersin'coactive relation to the skinningl devices, -a reciprocable Slide mounted on the frame and carrying the withone end connected to"y the slide, a cam, and connections between the other end of the lever and the cain. v

50.` In a peanut Skinning machine, a tiltyable frame, a hopper, and means for direct- .ing vrpeanuts therefrom mounted on4 they plungers, a rock lever mounted on the frame i frame, Skinning devices also mounted on the i framey at the discharge end of the peanut directing means, a series of plungers in co- .ciprocatory slide mounted on the frame and lactive relation to the Skinning devices, a reofthe frame, and'connections between the f,

[other end of tlielever and the cam, whereby ytilting of the framehas Ano elfect upon the throw of the slide.

51. In a peanutskinning machine, a tiltable frame, a hopper and peanut feeding means leading therefrom and mounted.l on the frame, Skinning devices also mounted on the frame at the discharge end of the peanut feeding means, a connected series of reciprocable plungers in cooperative relation to the Skinning devices, and actuating means for the plun ers in part located in the axis of tilting o the frame and in part carried to one side-thereof, whereby variation in the degree of tilt of the frame does not affect the extent of reciprocation of the plungers.

52. In a peanut Skinning machine, an inclined frame, a hopper carried by the frame at the high end thereof and having an overhang at Said high enda laterally extended Series of elongated pairs of rolls underlying the hopper and extending beneath the overhang thereof and also extendingA to the low end of the frame and at both ends provided with journal bearings, Skinning,v devices through which the rolls discharge peanuts received from the hopper, intermeshing gears at the high ends ot the rolls, and driving means for the gears for imparting simultaneous movement to the rolls with the rolls of each pair rotating oppositely.

53. In a peanut Skinning machine, an inclined frame, a hopper at the high end of the frame, a laterally extended series of elongated pairs of rolls underlying the hopper and extending to the low end of the frame and provided with journal bearings at both ends, Skinning devices on which the rolls discharge peanuts received from the hopper, intermeshing gears at the high ends of the rolls, driving means for the gears for imparting simultaneous movement to the rolls with those of each pair rotating oppositely and the series of rolls being divided into two sets, a common drive shaft for the rolls, gearing connections between the spaced points of the shaft and the respective sets of connected rolls, and driving means connected to opposite ends of the shaft.

54. In a peanut Skinning machine, a tiltable supporting member, means for setting the supporting member into diii'erent degrees of tilted relation to the horizontal, means on the supporting member for holding a supply of peanuts, peanut Skinning means on the supporting member spaced from the supply holding means, peanut feeding means on the supporting member for directing peanuts from the supply holding means to the Skinning means, and means for indicating the tilt of the supporting member, wherebyT a gang of machines may be quickly set to proper position after such position is ascertained from the adjustment of one. machine.

55. In a peanut Skinning machine, an inclined support, a hopper for containing a supply of peanuts, an agitator therein controlling the discharge end of the support and provided with means for varying the size of the discharge outlets, pairs of rotatable rolls constituting the bottom of the portion of the hopper provided with the agitator and extending therefrom, and skinning devices on the support at the discharge ends of the pairs of rolls.

5G. In a peanut Skinning machine, an inclined frame, a hopper at one end thereof, pairs of rotatable rolls extending into the hopper and leading therefrom, Skinning devices at the ends of the rolls remote from the hopper, an agitator Within the hopper, guards within the hopper for bridging spaces between adjacent pairs of rolls, blocks exterior to the hopper and each carrying one of the guards, and removable gates adapted to the blocks for closing the portions of the outlets from the hopper defined by the blocks.

57. In a peanut slr-inning machine, an inclined frame, a hopper at one end thereof, pairs of rotatable rolls extending into the hopper and leading therefrom, Skinning devices at the ends of the rolls remote from the hopper, an agitator Within the hopper, guards Within the hopper for bridging spaces between adjacent pairs of rolls, blocks exterior to thehopper and each carrying one of the guards, and plates adapted to the blocks and each comprising a gate With one end shaped to lodge between ad jacent rolls of a pair of rolls.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my sig-` nature.

WILLIAM I-I. KELLY.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

